Anderson .Paak
A dynamic artist who fuses soul, funk, and hip-hop into a joyous, gritty sound, all while drumming and singing with relentless energy.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American singer·Birthday: February 8·Millennials
Biography
Brandon Paak Anderson's journey to stardom was anything but straightforward. Growing up in Oxnard, California, he faced homelessness and worked on a marijuana farm before music provided an escape. He taught himself drums and began producing, initially working under the name Breezy Lovejoy. His breakthrough came with 2016's 'Malibu,' a sun-drenched, autobiographical album that earned a Grammy nod and critical praise for its fusion of vintage soul and modern beats. His live performances became legendary, with .Paak singing, rapping, and drumming simultaneously behind his signature hat and grin. The 2019 project 'Ventura' won him a Grammy, and his creative partnership with Bruno Mars as Silk Sonic resulted in a sweep of the 2022 Grammy Awards. .Paak's story is one of resilience, his music a testament to finding exuberance through struggle.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anderson was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anderson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Anderson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his 2019 album 'Ventura.'
- As part of Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best R&B Performance at the 2022 Grammys for 'Leave the Door Open.'
- His album 'Malibu' was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 59th Grammy Awards.
- Founded his own record label, APESHIT Inc., and artist collective, The Free Nationals.
- Performed at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar.
Did You Know?
The dot in his stage name is a tribute to the meticulousness of producer J Dilla, who often used a dot in his track titles.
He was once fired from a job at a Santa Barbara marijuana farm for sampling the product.
He provided the voice for a character in the Netflix animated series 'Chicago Party Aunt.'
He played drums for the band in the 2015 film 'Straight Outta Compton.'
His mother is Korean and his father is African American.
“I went from 0 to 100, real quick. But it was more like 0 to 17, then back down to 3, then up to 100.”
